WASHINGTON, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Following the most
contentious election in recent history, a new poll released today
by Allstate and Atlantic Media revealed a surprising level of
positivity among Americans. But that optimism is tempered by fear
that the election will further divide the nation along lines of
class, race and party.
The 27th Heartland Monitor Poll also found that – despite
notable divides between demographic groups – Americans almost
unanimously (87 percent) agree on one thing: improving the economy
through job creation is priority No. 1.
Typical of a post-election high, however, there is optimism that
the economy will improve. Sixty percent believe the economy will
become more competitive over the next four years, and 36 percent
think the nation is headed in the right direction – the highest
level since the last presidential election in November 2012, and a jump of 14 points since
June.
"This latest Heartland poll underscores the American spirit of
resilience and optimism," said Bill
Vainisi, Allstate's senior vice president and deputy general
counsel, Law and Regulation. "Our country has come together in the
face of serious challenges throughout history, from world wars to
economic depressions. Profound challenges remain ahead, and we will
need to address them. Americans have a genuine desire for
government, business leaders and community members to work together
to drive positive, lasting change."
Despite this economic optimism, the survey found deep divisions
over what the election will mean for the nation's social fabric.
The majority of respondents anticipate relations deteriorating
between Americans of different social classes (51 percent), as well
as races and ethnic groups (52 percent).
"From all of these different angles, the poll converges on the
same message. While many Americans, particularly Trump's
supporters, believe his victory will move the economy forward,
roughly half the nation fears that his ascent will set the country
back by deepening the divisions that his march to the White House
so starkly revealed," said Ron
Brownstein, senior editor of The Atlantic.
Details on these results follow. To see in-depth poll
data for the 27th Allstate/Atlantic Media Heartland Monitor Poll,
please visit HeartlandMonitor.com. The
Atlantic's series of reports on the poll results and their
implications, along with full topline findings, are available at
TheAtlantic.com.
Americans' post-election optimism is pronounced when it comes
to finances and the economy:
- Four in 10 (39 percent) are hopeful about the economy improving
over the next 12 months, which marks the highest total since
November 2012.
- Nearly three in 10 (29 percent) said the state of the economy
is currently excellent or good – the most favorable figure since
the question was first asked in 2013. Similarly, the percentage of
people who think the economy is fair or poor (69 percent) dropped 8
percentage points since June.
- Half (51 percent) ranked their own personal financial
situations as excellent or good – the highest since the financial
crisis.
- Most Americans think their personal financial situations will
either improve (43 percent) or stay the same (44 percent) over the
next 12 months.
Further analysis shows the country's overall hopeful economic
outlook is buoyed by more positive sentiments in some groups than
others:
- Nearly three-fourths of men over 50 (72 percent) believe the
economy will become more competitive over the next four years,
versus just 54 percent of women who are 50-plus.
- Seventy percent of rural residents versus 54 percent of urban
residents have a positive economic outlook.
- Ninety-two percent of Republicans versus 35 percent of
Democrats expressed a positive outlook.
However, Americans largely agree on a number of other topics
regardless of age, race, education level or income,
including:
- Two-thirds (67 percent) emphasize enforcing equal pay for
women.
- Two-thirds (67 percent) believe the federal government should
increase education funding to ensure all children have access to an
affordable, quality education from preschool through college, even
though additional spending could add to existing bureaucracy and
minimize state and local control.
Despite these and other challenges facing the country, 66
percent believe the nation will find solutions, as it has in the
past. But that optimism is mixed with an urgent call for bipartisan
compromise:
- Fifty-seven percent of Americans say it's more important for
politicians to compromise in the name of progress than stick to
their core values, even if it means conceding on certain
policies.
- A majority of Americans (56 percent) hope a GOP-controlled
White House and Congress means the two entities will work together
more than they have over the last four years.
Underneath Americans' consensus on the need for compromise
lies a nation deeply divided:
- Half (52 percent) of Americans think the country is improving
because of its growing diversity and increased equality for all
people. On the other hand, 42 percent feel the nation is changing
too fast and losing its values. These results see a stark division
between those who voted for Hillary
Clinton (72 percent say the country is improving) and those
who voted for Donald Trump (62
percent say the country is changing too quickly).
- Fifty-two percent think relations between different racial and
ethnic groups will worsen as a result of the election, and nearly
the same amount (51 percent) think the rift between social classes
will also deteriorate.
- Americans feel the most serious social divisions include
conflicts between African-Americans and police (52 percent), rich
and poor (44 percent) and business/political elites and average
Americans (41 percent).
- Americans divide almost exactly in half on whether the new
administration will succeed in uniting the country to move toward
progress (49 percent) or continue the divisiveness highlighted
during the campaign and hinder progress (46 percent).
- Americans are also split on whether President-Elect Trump will
govern in a way that reflects bias against certain groups (45
percent) or lead as "the president of all Americans" (51
percent).
Survey Methodology
The 27th installment of the Allstate/Atlantic Media Heartland
Monitor Poll, conducted November 16-21,
2016, comprises questions about the 2016 presidential
election, as Americans have cast their votes and look towards the
next four years under new leadership. How did the divisive campaign
shape Americans' perspectives? Was the election a mandate for new
policies? How do Americans want the government to function? The
survey was conducted among a national sample of 1,000 American
adults age 18+, with 500 reached via cell phone and 500 reached via
landline. The margin of error for a sample of 1,000 is +/- 3.1 in
95 out of 100 cases.
About Allstate Corporation
The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest
publicly held personal lines insurer, protecting approximately 16
million households from life's uncertainties through auto, home,
life and other insurance offered through its Allstate, Esurance,
Encompass and Answer Financial brand names. Now celebrating its
85th anniversary as an insurer, Allstate is widely known through
the slogan "You're In Good Hands With Allstate®."
Allstate agencies are in virtually every local community in
America. In 2015, The Allstate Foundation, Allstate, its employees
and agency owners gave $36 million to
support local communities.
About Atlantic Media
Atlantic Media is dedicated to equipping opinion leaders with
breakthrough ideas and original insights. Its powerful brands,
including The Atlantic, Government Executive,
National Journal, Quartz, and Defense One
reach leaders across all sectors—consumer, business, media, and
government. Strategically designed to meet the unique needs of this
community, Atlantic Media's innovative portfolio of digital, print,
event, social, and mobile platforms engages an influential audience
of over 30 million worldwide each month.
About FTI Consulting
FTI Consulting, Inc. is a global business advisory firm
dedicated to helping organizations protect and enhance enterprise
value in an increasingly complex legal, regulatory and economic
environment. With more than 4,600 employees located in 26
countries, FTI Consulting professionals work closely with clients
to anticipate, illuminate and overcome complex business challenges
in areas such as investigations, litigation, mergers and
acquisitions, regulatory issues, reputation management, strategic
communications and restructuring. The company generated
$1.78 billion in revenues during
fiscal year 2015. For more information, visit www.fticonsulting.com
and connect with us on Twitter (@FTIConsulting), Facebook and
LinkedIn.
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SOURCE Allstate Insurance Company